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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 5Pt. 3Ch. 1Art. 2§ 20042 Final Compensation Calculation Election

§ 20042 Final Compensation Calculation Election

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 20042 Final Compensation Calculation Election

Key Takeaways

  • •This rule is about how retirement money is calculated for some workers.
  • •If the boss (contracting agency) chooses this rule, they look at your pay from just 1 year instead of 3 years to decide your retirement money.
  • •This only applies if you retire or pass away after the boss picks this rule.
  • •The boss can pick this rule by changing the work contract, and workers don’t get to vote on it.

Example

Imagine you work for a city office, and your boss decides to use this rule. You plan to retire next year.

Instead of looking at your pay from the last 3 years to figure out your retirement money, they’ll only look at your pay from the last 1 year. This could change how much money you get when you retire.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 20042 Final Compensation Calculation Election

On the election of a contracting agency, other than a county superintendent of schools with respect to a contract under Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 20610), “final compensation” for a local member employed by that agency whose retirement is effective or whose death occurs after the date of the election and with respect to benefits based solely on service credit accrued with the contracting agency making the election under this section shall be computed under Section 20037 but with the substitution of the period of one year for three consecutive years. An election under this section shall be made by amendment to the contracting agency’s contract made in the manner prescribed for approval of contracts, except that an election among the employees is not required, or by express provision of the contract if exercised at the time of approval of a contract. (Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 241, Sec. 2. (SB 525) Effective January 1, 2018.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

final compensationcontracting agencySection 20037election

Related Statutes

  • § 20028 Employee Definition Public Employers
  • § 20030 Public Employer Definition
  • § 20034 Retirement Compensation Calculation
  • § 20035 Pension Final Compensation Calculation
  • § 20035.10 State Employee Pension Adjustment

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 20042.
View Official Source